misrepresentation Flashcards
what is misrepresentation
false statement of fact by which representer induces represented to enter the contract
- makes the contract voidable
is a puffery a misrep actionable
no - cannot be verified objectively
- gimmick v wallet
can statements of opinion be actionable
not normally actionable. as long as they appear to be nothing more than an opinion-
- bisset v wilkinson
exception
- an apparent statement of opinion or belief can imply that the person making the statement has a factual basis for that opinion or belief.
- boundary between fact and opinion may depend Jon balance of knowledge between parties eg an expert
- smith v land and house property
can statements of future intention be actionable
generally not because it is not an existing fact.
- intrepreneur Pub v Sweeney
if the statement was fraudulent, then the representer has made a misrep to their state of mind which is an existing fact and therefore actionable
is failure to reveal facts a misrepresentation
general rule- no obligation to reveal facts- Keats v Earl of Cadogan
what happens if a statement becomes false between the time it was negotiated and made.
must give notice of a change in statement or it might result in an actionable misrep.-
- With v O’Flanagan
what are the exceptions to the general rule on. failure to reveal facts
- conduct- Spice girls v Aprilia world service - conduct can indicate certain impression which if it is failure is a misrep.
- defects being deliberatly hidden.- Schneider v Heath.
- half true statments- dimmock v hallett
what is the difference between a half true statement and a changed circumstance situ
both true when made, half true is concealed facts and changed situ becomes untrue
what special contacts require a duty to reveal info
- insurance contracts
- fiduciary relationships (solicitor and client)
what is the requirement of inducement for a false representation to be actionable
the representer must have been induced.
1. statement does not have to be the only reason for entering the contract
2. fraudulent misrep- must have been ‘materially influenced’ by the statement
3. non-fraudulent misrep- but for test
if a statement isn’t believed to be true, is it capable of being an inducement.
Hayward v Zurich insurance company.
- it might be possible,
if the statement is verified by an expert or a 3rd party, inducement is far less likely
- even if they are given the opportunity to verify but doesn’t take it, statement can still be inducement
what is the effect of a misrep
it makes the contract voidable, continues in effect until the representer elects to affirm or rescind the contract.
what is rescission
the basic remedy following an actionable breach. - means restoring the pre-contract position, putting parties back to where they would have been if he contract had not been entered into to.
how can a contract be rescinded
- innocent party must communicate an intention to rescind.- give notice
what are the bars to rescission.
- affirmation- when the innocent party shows intention to carry on
- lapse of time- the innocent party takes too long to rescind
- impossibility of restitution- not possible to restore the parties to their original position
- supervening third party rights - when the rights of an innocent 3rd party prevent rescission